Enhancing the Feeling of Space: The Cresta Residence Designed by Jonathan Segal FAIA

There are those who say that “Less is more” and then, there are those who express their dissatisfaction and state that “Less is never more—less is obviously less. Who wants less?”

The Cresta is an outstanding residential project designed by Jonathan Segal FAIA in San Diego, in the Lower Hermosa region of La Jolla, California, that enhances the feeling of space. Impressive and extremely luxurious, the residence occupies an area of 5,300 sq feet. The house looks even more extended than it already is, due to the floor to ceiling glass that replaces some of the walls and lets the place breathe. The Cresta is more than just any regular widely spread home, it’s the architect’s dream house. It features three floors, one below and two above grade. The entire living space is characterised by transparence and breeziness. The boundaries between the indoor and the outdoor disappear.

Most of the inhabitable space encompasses a room that totally communicates with the environment (named from a very obvious reason, the exterior room). “The exterior room was a key element in creating a home that otherwise would have felt small feel larger and more private that it is. While this space creates a void the buildings overall form is kept intact. All four corners remain with walls and roof planes to define the original box of the residence.” Despite being such a complex project, the interior is simply decorated. Quite an impressive and inspired balanced composition, don’t you think?